Thursday, May 29, 2014

In a move that doesn't surprise me whatsoever, James Cameron is teaming up with Montreal's Cirque du Soleil to create a live show for the massive theatrical hit AVATAR. Cameron has openly admired Cirque's work and his company Cameron Pace Group shot the native 3D movie CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY that was released in 2012.

The show will open in late 2015 with 20th Century Fox and the Cameron / Jon Landau production shingle Lightstorm Entertainment signed up as partners, stated Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque.

Says Lamarre: “Our relationship with Jim Cameron began with my visit at his ‘Avatar’ cutting room. I am thrilled that almost 5 years later, Cirque du Soleil will be able to explore the very inspirational AVATAR realm for the live stage. This will mark our second creative project with Jim and I believe it will be as stimulating for both our creative forces.”

Says Cameron:"Over the years, I have discovered the extraordinary talents and imaginations of both the artists and the creative forces behind Cirque du Soleil. I know we share the common goal of bringing audiences to another level of entertainment experiences. I look forward to doing just that on this project."

I'm sure this show will be stunning. Add this to the growing list of extra-theatrical entertainment venues that the AVATAR universe will inhabit. A list that also includes aseries of four booksand Avatar Landwithin Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park.

Monday, May 26, 2014

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST has the best 3D I have seen other than THE HOBBIT movies, GRAVITY and HUGO! Truly an achievement.

If you are an aficionado of 3D then go see this movie (on the largest screen possible) for the stereo alone! Of course the movie is worth while seeing for all it's other components but the 3D really stood out for me.

The team of John Harper (Lead Stereographer), Brent Robinson (Stereographer - Second Unit / UW Camera Operator), Ben Gervais (3D Production Systems Supervisor), Brian Cassar (Stereo Rig Technician) and Jeff Amaral (Stereographer, Splinter Unit) nailed it! They were using 3ality Technica rigs for the production which I continue to hear absolutely wonderful things about from the actual crews that use them. A great group of stereo professionals!

Harper called them "a Dream Team of true believers." and I heartily concur. I have met most of these guys and they are consummate pros - passionately involved in blending their creative eye with today's leading technology advancements.I don't know what small portions were converted but Stereo D was involved to a degree with some shots - probably the tight space scenes or post production touch ups based on the director's eye or studio influence. Not sure, will find out. This is usual for most tentpole native 3D productions.What 3D did I love? Well if you watched the trailers there is one scene where Quicksilver is running around a room doing Quicksilvery things and that shot is staggeringly well done! It made the movie for me. Icing on the cake. Robinson was particularly proud of this scene and said "The Quicksilver 3D was probably the coolest thing I've done." I also really enjoyed the inside of a 'control room' that features a prominent TV show from the late 1960's and the curvature of the shot was very well done. Further there is a scene where outside light is being shone through a window down over a character and on to a chess board. Really beautiful.

The cast of course is another dream team. How can you go wrong? I felt the story was lacking in a few areas but the pacing was incredible and it kept you on the edge of your seat throughout. Character Development rated my lowest and understandably so - with so many characters it's hard to go into any depth of where they came from, but at this point there is solid understanding of many of these franchise centerpieces - Wolverine in particular. I appreciated the screen time and further exploration of Ellen Page's Kitty Pryde. She really is VERY important to this plot.

I would have liked to see more detailed effects development for the sentinels. I know that's a personal thing and what they have in the movie is fine, but with the abilities that they have I felt something was missing. Something more sinister. That's my opinion.
Overall, if you want a movie that is WELL WORTH YOUR MONEY, then X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST is it.They spent $200 million on this thing and it shows. Believe me when I tell you - go see it. It's all up on the screen and more.

I'll discuss more in the comments without anything held back regarding spoilers. Feel free to speak your mind!

Ok - first things first. I saw the trailer for EDGE OF TOMORROW in IMAX 3D and it sucked.Instant headache. I am REALLY hoping that this isn't the case for the whole movie - that this was just a rush job to get the trailer out on time. Or, that it was a theatrical projection error. Because the more I see of this movie the more I really want to love it.

Check the movie clips (visual and some minor plot and character relationship spoilers) and the Behind The Scenes (BTS) clips (visual spoilers) to see what I mean. First of all, I like Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt in general but I am really impressed with the level of practical effects being employed along with visual effects! I think this will translate to a believable experience. Yet another reason why I hope they didn't blow the 3D conversion.

Here's the storyline for the movie:The epic action of “Edge of Tomorrow” unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Major William Cage (Cruise) is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously dropped into what amounts to a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage now finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop—forcing him to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again…and again. But with each battle, Cage becomes able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill, alongside Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Blunt). And, as Cage and Rita take the fight to the aliens, each repeated encounter gets them one step closer to defeating the enemy.

EDGE OF TOMORROW opens on June 6 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat. Here's hoping for a good conversion.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Wow - I love this! Take a look at how far technology has come - even since AVATAR - when it comes to the performance capture of actor's facial expressions. This Behind The Scenes (BTS) clip features a split screen approach to showing the on set action and what the end result is after digital post production.

Of course this whole movement has been spearheaded by a very capable actor (Andy Serkis) AND the artists behind the creation of these performances.

The digital work that's being done is of course married up with the industry leading native 3D produced from 3ality Technica's native 3D rigs. Man - can't wait to see all the technical execution done on this movie! I think I'll have to see it twice within a weekend; once with my Apes fanboy cap on and once from a purely technical view.

Anyway - please enjoy the work in this clip. I've watched it several times now and will continue to do ad nauseam - I like it that much.

Here's the storyline for the movie:A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

Some new shots in these two new TV spots for TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION so have a look! Kelsey Grammar makes an appearance as well.

Man these trailers and TV spots take me back to riding the 3D Transformers ride at Universal Studios - nothing like it; highly recommended.

TAOE features native 3D of course, shot on 3ality Technica's TS-5 3D rig outfitted with their awesome SIP (Stereo Image Processor) which makes shooting in native 3D a perfect pleasure, right out of the camera.

Here's the movie's storyline:

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION is the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s global blockbuster franchise. The film begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Here's the latest trailer for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY from director James Gunn and Marvel. Loving it so far!Note the clever use of classic rock tunes - loving it more and more. We also get to hear Groot's voice (Vin Diesel) as well as Rocket's (Bradley Cooper).

Here's the movie's storyline:From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team – the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits – Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand – with the galaxy’s fate in the balance. Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” is presented by Marvel Studios.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Saw GODZILLA and was suitably impressed. This is a true monster movie and it was made by a coveted new director in Gareth Edwards. Edwards (MONSTERS) specializes in this genre and while you can clearly see studio interference with this movie, Edwards still manages to deliver despite those handcuffs.I will point out that I saw a trailer for EDGE OF TOMORROW in 3D pre-rolling before the movie and the 3D sucked. Big time. I could feel my brain wince within SECONDS of the opening shot seeing light. I sincerely hope they clean that up as I was really looking forward to seeing that in three dimensions. As of now I cannot recommend seeing it.

Back to GODZILLA. The 3D is average I would say for modern standards. Nothing to write home about. Still much better in 3D than seeing it in flat.

I was worried about how Mothra (or whatever they call her in the movie) would appear as that is a tall order (pun intended) to get right. I was satisfied to a large degree with the flying beasts, but still there were moments where I shook my head.Godzilla himself was impressive. Just what I wanted really. The devastation going on around there during battle set me aback - definitely worth waiting for and Edwards is a master of that. Wait for it, wait for it... YES!

Click to enlarge

So what didn't I like about it? Well this is spoiler free so I can't go into details but I will in the comments if it goes that way. I did feel that the nuclear "tests" should have been dug into much more. And my biggest dislike? I felt Aaron-Taylor Johnson failed. Totally. I felt no emotion when he was struck by bad things happening to him. Perhaps he just can't act. I loved him in KICK ASS but, wow, not good here. Bryan Cranston is always good. Oh and Ken Watanabe and his burrowed brow, pensive, gaze to no where look got old by the time he executed this maneuver the tenth time. Edwards should have gotten more out of him.So, yes, I recommend going to see GODZILLA and still recommend IMAX 3D for it as the sound in that theater shakes you to your core. The 3D is always better on the largest screen possible as well. I will be seeing it again! Whenever you feel awe in going to a movie, that is MAGIC. It brings out the kid in us all and GODZILLA's got it :-)

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Here's a new trailer for Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION. The effects look jaw dropping good as usual for these films and with the addition of Mark Wahlberg and a "soft reboot" of the story, I'm hoping for a revitalized franchise that focuses more on human characters and their journey.

Here's the storyline for the movie:TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION is the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s global blockbuster franchise. The film begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

I'm surprised this is out so early, but hey why not. Take a look at the new image released from director Zach Snyder's twitter account. My first thought is Ben Affleck has beefed up even more for the role though perhaps the suit has made some physical enhancement liberties. Whatever. The suit looks gothic and visceral at the same time - and interesting combination. The top of his nose looks like there are some character lines put in - perhaps in homage to Adam West's mask.

Can't see much of the batmobile, but as standard, it looks badass. The tires look like they are ready to hit the asphalt, no question.

Thursday, May 08, 2014

You've got to see this trailer! My jaw hit the floor with a couple of these scenes from director Matt Reeves' DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - how lifelike the apes are!!Weta - you're AMAZING!

But don't take my word for it, watch it. Just stunning. I'm so amped for this movie already - now I'm over the top. Imagine all this is gorgeous, natively shot 3D (with our friends from 3ality Technica) and the suspension of disbelief will be so solid!

Here's the storyline for the movie:A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

We're finally getting details on James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge 3D feature documentary. It's been awhile coming too, but so glad the time is almost here. I'm very interested in seeing what personal money can buy when it comes to science. I know it's not all Cameron's money as he is sponsored somewhat, but still - I wish more well off individuals would consider science as a philanthropic or personal journey. The Mariana Trench dive project will be released on August 8.

Here's the press release:

DisruptiveLA, a cutting-edge marketing and distribution company for filmed entertainment, has acquired the US Distribution Rights to the feature documentary “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D,” directed by John Bruno, Andrew Wight and Ray Quint. A film about determination, danger and the ocean’s greatest depths, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” tells the story of Cameron’s journey to fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming an explorer. The movie offers a unique insight into Cameron’s world as he makes that dream reality – and makes history – by becoming the first person to travel solo to the deepest point on the planet.

Opening August 8 in theaters across the US, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” chronicles the highs, and literal lows, of DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, the first extensive scientific expedition in a manned submersible to the Challenger Deep, Earth’s deepest place. It was inspired, in part, by the fact that we know less about the deep oceans than we do about the surface of Mars. DEEPSEA CHALLENGE was led by Cameron, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for blockbusters such as Avatar and Titanic and a veteran of eight deep ocean expeditions. It was executed in partnership with National Geographic and Rolex and with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. During it, Cameron deployed his unconventional DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible on 13 dives, collecting numerous samples and identifying 68 new species. On March 26, 2012, the Expedition culminated in Cameron’s historic, solo dive to the Challenger Deep, a staggering 35,787 feet (almost seven miles) beneath the ocean’s surface.

Risk and danger are ever-present in the film as Cameron dives progressively deeper in the New Britain Trench off Papua New Guinea and in the Mariana Trench, 200 miles southwest of Guam. Confronting the enormity of the dive to the Challenger Deep, the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, Cameron recalled thinking, “I’ve had years to contemplate this moment, and I won’t say there hasn’t been dread.”

Among his concerns was the risk the sub would implode under the crushing pressure (1,000 times that at sea level) at the ocean’s deepest points. In the movie, Cameron describes an ominous scenario: “As you approach the bottom, with barely a warning sign, the sphere buckles suddenly. Faster than you can scream, you’re smashed into jam.”

Cameron survived to capture the haunting, lunar-like landscape of the Mariana Trench in stunning 3D, and to document the sea creatures he observed in the depths. In a tense 90 minutes, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” builds on these images to create a visual sensation that evokes a spirit of extraordinary human aspiration.

Industry veterans Chris Miller and James Burke are DisruptiveLA’s co-founders. Says Burke: “James Cameron and his team’s courage and tenacity in seeing this project through, with findings that scientists are still poring over, is an inspiration to everyone.”

“JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D is everything we’d dreamed it could be and more,” says Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures and an executive producer of the film. “It’s a heart-racing film experience and an inspiring reminder that our beautiful planet still has much to explore.”

“We are proud to have accompanied James Cameron, a Rolex Testimonee, on this inspirational journey to the deepest reaches of the world’s oceans, encouraging further exploration of the planet’s last unknown frontiers and sparking the interest of new generations in scientific research,” says Rolex Director of Communication and Image, Arnaud Boetsch.

Monday, May 05, 2014

Hey everyone, Tim here with an exciting little clip from the new Godzilla movie! This little clip that is less than one minute gives us a preview of some spoiler material...

SO WATCH AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!

I'll provide a spoiler descrition of the clip that you'll need to highlight to read because the text is hidden:

It features Dr. Ichiro Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Admiral Stenz (David Strathairn) discussing the chances of an "alpha predator" winning in a monster grudge match. We then get our first two good glimpses of Godzilla and this flying monster about to engage in battle.

End spoilers. So now you can watch the clip below. Again, if you're trying to keep a pristine viewing experience it might be best for you to skip this clip. We're less than two weeks away from the movie being released.

Godzilla stomps his way into 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D theaters on May 16, 2014.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Tim here, and let me start by saying that this movie is an average film overall. Whether you want to look at amongst superhero movies or all of filmmaking history the movie falls into the category of average. This is why I ended up deciding to give the movie a C+ score, and after reading my thoughts you can see the movie for yourself to make up your own mind.

Flat out the story and plot are the main areas where this movie fell flat and was very "BLAAHH!" In the very beginning of the movie my suspension of disbelief is thrown because I can't understand how in the past Peter's father was supposed to have uploaded a video file over an Ethernet port from a private jet to the cloud...Did the cloud exist back then? When is back then? I'd say late 1990's or early 2000's if the movie was taking place in present day, which seems reasonable to assume. So how does he not only upload the file, but get interrupted and start from the same place each time. As some of us know if we start uploading a file to a server via FTP and it gets interrupted you have to start over again. Only sometimes if you're lucky it will continuing from where it got interrupted. That's one of the first things that was hard to swallow.

The movie continues at an uneven pace and often gets to a slow crawl despite the action sequences that pop up.At the center is a love story that is strong and is done well thanks to the great performances from Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, but the rest of the movie fails to take off. The plot revolving around what Peter's father did never really feels like it works, nor does his father's explanation for why Peter would have gotten his abilities while anyone else wouldn't. The movie is an exercise in waste, and as well fails to bring anything truly new to the table. The conclusion of the love story at the end of this movie is the only fitting aspect, and the only thing the audience will have an emotional reaction to. At the same time it makes it difficult to bring Peter's true love interest of the Spiderman universe Mary Jane Watson into the mix.

Another area I had trouble understanding how it could happen, and was not an area my suspension of disbelief would accept the event, was in the creation of Jamie Foxx's Electro. First, Foxx's Max/Electro character is underdeveloped and then there's no clue given as to why he would survive his accident to turn into this villainous character and no one else would. Especially since electric eels are involved and the movie establishes that Oscorp has abandoned animal experimentation after the events of the last film. So why are the eels there? Also, what about the bullies and tormentors of Max from earlier in the film? Why do they disappear never to be heard or seen again? I'm sure Max would have wanted revenge on them. There's a serious failure on the storytelling here.

So next we come to the other villain of the movie: Harry Osborn, AKA The Green Goblin. His character was also underdeveloped, but was also way too sullen. Dane Dehaan did a fine job with what he had to work with, but the emotional range of the character was sullen and really angry. His relationship with Peter wasn't developed enough and additionally the decease that afflicted his father and now consumes him felt rushed. His overall purpose was to setup the next installment's plot.

And, that's the biggest pitfall of this movie: it's all setup for the bigger franchise. It doesn't stand on its own. Paul Giamatti was poorly used as an extremely one-dimensional Aleksei Sytsevich who will end up being The Rhino in the next film. His character is over-animated and over the top and terribly uses the high level of acting Giamatti is capable of delivering. It doesn't seem like he'll work in The Amazing Spiderman 3 as a compelling villain. It's all a setup for the Sinister Six, and Harry Osborne will be at the center as The Green Goblin.

Beyond the story the technical aspects of the film were on par with a big budget movie like this. The stereoscopic 3D was average however because they chose to make it a hybrid instead of a fully native 3D production. I call it hybrid because it was shot in 2D with 35mm film and all the digital VFX were rendered in stereo. This caused a lot of the live action elements shot on 35mm to feel flatter as the 3D wasn't pushed enough for there to be true depth in the shots. A lot of the CGI elements created by the VFX department worked great in stereo and they pushed it as much as they should have, but that didn't help the earlier decision that the rest would be converted to 3D. It was a step back from the last installment. Also, 3D conversion on 2D shot action scenes where it's close shaky camera and quick cutting never works well for me. I saw the movie in MasterImage 3D and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound.

The sound design wasn't anything innovative, but was technically good. The score by Hans Zimmer felt recycled from his previous scores. The Electro theme and music style worked well and had some creativity in it, but still sounded too similar to what Hans Zimmer has done in The Dark Knight franchise and last year's Man of Steel. It's easy to expect more from this talented composer.

Marc Webb did a fine job making this movie, but in the end failed to go beyond average. It's going to be hard keeping excitement amongst fans with this by the numbers delivery. Let's hope that things are greatly improved with the next installment.

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Here we go! I'm definitely feeling the anticipation for DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and I love this teaser trailer. If your going to do a trailer for a trailer you absolutely must do it right. It's got to be short, concise and innvoative in some way - in others words, worth your time to watch it. I've watched it a dozen times so this is definitely a success for the movie's Instagram account.

Updated: ATHIRD clip from the movie has been released today featuring Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) - warning this does give away the reason why Xavier can walk again.

Here's the latest from X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST! First video is a clip from the movie featuring Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique) and Peter Dinklage (Bolivar Trask) and a second featurette on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).

So yes there are some visual spoilers here - a scene from the movie - but there is not much at all regarding plot, so in my mind it's ok to watch unless you want a pristine viewing experience of the whole thing in a few weeks.

Here's the storyline for the movie:The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from “X-Men: First Class,” in an epic battle that must change the past — to save our future.

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST opens on May 23 featuring native 3D shot with rigs from our friends at 3ality Technica.

Check two new posters for Dimension's SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR. The obviously stylized posters are for the obviously stylized movie franchise but this time the movie will be in 3D - perfect for this genre based on the graphic novels of Frank Miller (300).

I'm actually much more excited about this movie because of the 3D than the original. Not surprising coming from me I know, but I really think that 3D will dramatically improve the audiences suspension of disbelief for this genre. Can't wait!

Here's the storyline for the movie:Co-directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller reunite to bring Miller’s visually stunning “Sin City” graphic novels back to the screen in SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR. Weaving together two of Miller’s classic stories with new tales, the town’s most hard boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more reviled inhabitants. SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR is the follow up to Rodriguez and Miller’s 2005 groundbreaking film, FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY.

Here's the new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES trailer - though there is very little that's new about it over the first one.

Probably the coolest thing about the movie thus far is obviously the creature effects, but also the fact that Leonardo is being voiced by Johnny Knoxville. Oh and William Fichtner. Anything with Fichtner is definitely cool. :-) And I guess having Megan Fox associated with another Michael Bay production is something too.

Here's the storyline for the movie:The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save the city and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan. Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Characters Created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman with a Screenplay by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec and Evan Daugherty, Producer Michael Bay (the blockbuster Transformers franchise) and director Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans) bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the popular franchise that has captivated audiences of all ages for decades, into the 21st century.